School of thoughtlessness

Institution in east Delhi tells students they might be thrown out after class X, irrespective of CBSE exam results

A set of class X students in east Delhi have one more predicament to deal with than their peers. The Vidya Bal Bhawan Senior Secondary School in Mayur Vihar has informed all those students who have opted to appear for the 20101- 11 class X boards that they might have to leave after the results are out.


No admission: Vidya Bal Bhawan Sr Secondary School at Mayur Vihar
Phase 3 in New Delhi. PIC/Rajeev Tyagi

More interestingly, the authorities have made it clear that their discretion and not merit, would decide the fate of these children. Parents are naturally aggrieved. They have lodged with the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR), holding the school body and principal responsible.

A copy of complaint, which is with MiD DAY, reads: "It has been alleged that the authorities of Vidya Bal Bhawan Sr. Sec. School, Mayur Vihar-III, Delhi-92 have issued a circular to the parents of children studying in class X in which they have been given to exercise their option with regard to the continuance of their ward for education in class XI & XII.

If a parent is willing for the appearance of his/her ward in class X board examination, he /she has to change the school after they opt for board examination. The parents are undergoing mental agony and harassment. Such an undertaking is not only illegal, arbitrary, unjust but also unethical and smacks commercialisation of school education."

"This is absolutely unfair on part of a prestigious school. My son has been a student here since class I. We didn't put him in the school only to know that once he clears his class X boards he would be at the school's mercy to decide his future.

The decision is disturbing and has upset our domestic scenario to a large extent. This is not the way school authorities should behave; it's not fair and not done," said an agitated parent.

NCPCR has handed over the case to Delhi Commission for Protection of Child Rights (DCPCR), which has forwarded it to the Directorate of Education (DOE), and is reportedly yet to receive a response. While the Principal of Vidya Bal Bhawan was not available for comments, DCPCR has taken serious note of the allegations since such an act on the part of the school authorities is likely to have demoralising effect on children. The commission would like to have a detailed report on the subject soon.u00a0u00a0u00a0
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"This is a huge problem; the school is doing a disservice to itself as well as to the concerned students and their parents. The decision has disillusioned the students who are now having unnecessary fears, apart from their studies and results. The commission should take appropriate measures to handle this unnecessary mess," said a hassled Ashok Aggarwal, president, All India Parents Association (AIPA).